CHEZ SOI - NEWSBLOG OF STUDIO SOI

Below: An early sketch Manu Arenas had originally done for the film’s framestory (see Mother Squirrel in the background) ended up serving as the layout for Mouse’s lilypad-passage over the lake. See the German version of “The Gruffalo” premiere on Dec 24th 10.40 am on ZDF.

Above: Some of the great work Harald Siepermann has done for the characterdesign of Owl, perfectly suggesting not only his design but literally his character. (click to enlarge) Watch the result on ZDF, 24.12.2010 10.40 am.

Some more artwork from the Mouse’s passage over the stream. Top: Shotlayout by Manu Arenas. Middle: Colourkey by Neil Ross. Bottom: Propdesigns and schematic drawings by Manu Arenas. See more from that sequence here.

Above: Early compositional sketches for the Fox Sequence by Manu Arenas. Below: A schematic layout for one part of that sequence, also by Manu. (click on images to enlarge). See more from that sequence here and here.

Some more preproduction from “Der Grüffelo”, which you can watch on ZDF this Christmas, December 24th at 10.40 am.

Different production stages from the film’s “swamp sequence”, from top to bottom: Initial location design by Manu Arenas, set dress and prop design by Jakob Schuh, sculpt by Helena Ebel, location supervisor Klaus Morschheuser putting final touches on the set, lighting reference for CG by Louis Tardivier.